Ryan Seacrest May Not Renew ‘American Idol’ Role

There’s no one quite like Ryan Seacrest, which is precisely why FOX is trying so hard to keep him as the host of ‘American Idol.’ Seacrest’s $45 million contract is up for renewal, but it’s possible that he won’t be returning to run the hit singing competition.

“It’s a tough negotiation and one that will come to conclusion, I think, pretty quickly,” Kevin Reilly, the president of FOX entertainment, said according to the Chicago Sun-Times. “It’s very hard to imagine the show without Ryan. We certainly want to keep him. There’s no creative discussion there whatsoever. It is a deal issue.”

As far as the negotiation, Ryan isn’t the one holding up the proceedings. In fact, he says he’d be thrilled to return to the show that has been his home for a decade. “I’ve done this for the last decade. I love doing it, so I can’t imagine not being on every week.”

But with his own ventures, like his radio show, as well as his contract at E! Entertainment, there are quite a few opportunities for Seacrest should he not continue on ‘Idol’ — like the ‘Today’ show. If the show’s current anchor Matt Lauer decides to leave, Ryan could be in the running to take his place. While the ‘American Idol’ host felt like that notion was “flattering,” he said “that job will be that person’s job as long as that person wants the job,” meaning if Lauer even wanted to go.

Whatever happens, we won’t know what the network has decided regarding his ‘Idol’ run for at least a few weeks. In the meantime, ‘American Idol’ will return for Season 11 on Jan. 18.